Saturday, December 02, 2006

I am a huge James Bond fan and have been since I was old enough to figure out that pretty women made me tingle(I got that feeling when I found my older brother's stack of Playboys under his mattress at about 6). Sean Connery was always the epitome of cool. He now has someone to take his place. Sean and Roger were suave and debonair. Daniel Craig will kill you with his hands. I loved this movie. I got back to St. Louis just in time to have my power go out, so I went to a movie, not just any movie, but maybe the best movie I have seen in a long time. "Casino Royale" was actually the first James Bond book and this one sets up how and why he became a "007". It sets it up in back and white and then "BAM", it's non stop action for the next two thirds of the movie, the last third drags just a bit and you wonder where the story is going. Then, it hits you over the head again. Great villian, excrutiating torture scene in the middle and a "Bond" girl (who really wasn't), who is beautiful. I am not a "movie critic" worrying about the texture or lighting or any of that stuff, but my three big questions are...was it entertaining, did I enjoy the film, and did time go by fast while I was watching it? The answers to these questions are a resounding "YES"!!! Mr. Craig is now my second favorite Bond and I am eagerly awaiting the next one to see if he can out Bond Sean Connery. He's already close.Four and a half stars out of five.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival; although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in teaching-- explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks was. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year; then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S Don't forget; I am the Son of God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. Do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember, I LOVE YOU.

I get to meet Bob next week, really looking forward to seeing him live. Back in 1984, he rocked Kemper Arena to it's foundation with one of the best shows I have ever seen. The question remains, will we get this guy...

After being on the sidelines for awhile, and not doing much this summer, I literally forgot how compelling and time consuming radio can be. Hey, I aint bitchin', this is why I got into the business. Next week, I get to meet Bob Seger again. It was 1984 when I first met him, the Tigers were in the playoffs and we talked baseball while having a glass of red wine before his show. I must admit, in the ten minutes we talked, he must have had five smokes. The station in Nashville actually gets to present shows and I will be taking some listeners backstage to meet the man. Shit, it's nice to know some things haven't changed after all these years. I have three appearances before the end of the month, and according to the Brock that rocks, I will be in line for plenty more. After the first few awkward days being in a city where you don't even know where the streets run and their names, this will be cool. Starting Monday, I will be on the air for 12 straight days. I will be spending all of my free time in the production room, trying to figure the whole thing out. The only drawback is missing the family and feeling a bit lost here. This is where God has sent me and I do not question the master.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Well, here we are kids, live from music city USA. I got here this afternoon and immediately got homesick. This too, shall pass and I am sure that this will be a great new world here. I will be doing afternoon drive, and being a part of helping a classic hits station to acheive better numbers. I miss my family, though, and I am sure that won't be going away soon. Off to see Vanderbilt play basketball tonight and work out before then. I have to be at the station tomorrow at 9 am. I sure hope I can sleep tonight.

Live from the main branch at the Nashville library (no internet anywhere else), talk at you tomorrow.

–verb (used with object) 1. to wish or long for; crave; want. 2. to express a wish to obtain; ask for; request: The mayor desires your presence at the next meeting. –noun 3. a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment: a desire for fame. 4. an expressed wish; request. 5. something desired. 6. sexual appetite or a sexual urge.

—Synonyms 1. covet, fancy. See wish. 2. solicit. 3. aspiration, hunger, appetite, thirst. Desire, craving, longing, yearning suggest feelings that impel one to the attainment or possession of something. Desire is a strong feeling, worthy or unworthy, that impels to the attainment or possession of something that is (in reality or imagination) within reach: a desire for success. Craving implies a deep and imperative wish for something, based on a sense of need and hunger: a craving for food, companionship. A longing is an intense wish, generally repeated or enduring, for something that is at the moment beyond reach but may be attainable at some future time: a longing to visit Europe. Yearning suggests persistent, uneasy, and sometimes wistful or tender longing: a yearning for one's native land. Key tr.v. de·sired, de·sir·ing, de·sires To wish or long for; want. To express a wish for; request.

n. A wish or longing. A request or petition. The object of longing: My greatest desire is to go back home. Sexual appetite; passion.

I leave tomorrow at 7:30 am. I am really looking forward in getting a fresh, clean slate and my adrenaline is starting to pump. Will I sleep tonight? No, it will feel like the first day of school. Didn't you hate that? "It's 3:14, if I could just get to sleep now, that would be four hours worth, I'd be OK...it's 4:14, if I could just get to sleep now, three hours would rule...." New city, new station, old boss, I want to own this city. I want to be the "mayor". With a good attitude, some time and a lot of hard work, it could happen.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Here's the story from the Post Dispatch:Kirkwood football coach Larry Frost doesn't want his players or coaches to wonder what might have been Saturday night. But the veteran coach knows how difficult that will be for his Pioneers.Kirkwood lost three fumbles, which helped turn the tide in the Class 5 championship game at the Edward Jones Dome. Running back Derrick Washington and Raymore-Peculiar took advantage and walked away with a 42-32 victory for their third straight state championship.

"I told my kids never to think about that, but they're going to do it," Frost said. "I told us coaches not to think about that, but we're going to do it. Turnovers are crucial in the game of football. We know that. They haven't hurt us all year long. We haven't had turnovers all year long. We've always won the turnover battle. Today, they got us."

Raymore-Peculiar (10-3) became the sixth team to win three straight Missouri High School Activities Association championships and the first school to do it in Class 5. "It doesn't get old, that's for sure," Ray-Pec coach Tom Kruse said. "It was one of those football games where it seemed like we kind of hung on. First of all, I have to give Kirkwood a ton of credit because they are a very, very, very talented, good football team."But Kirkwood (10-2), which was appearing in the championship game for the first time in school history, had no answer for Washington, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior who has committed to the University of Missouri. He rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns, caught two passes for 24 yards and another score and returned a punt 68 yards for his fifth touchdown while the game still was in doubt.Washington has been a big part of all three title game victories. He racked up 214 total yards (115 receiving yards, 99 rushing yards) and scored four touchdowns in last year's 43-21 victory over McCluer North in the championship game.As a sophomore, Washington had 116 total yards (93 rushing, 23 receiving) and scored three touchdowns as Ray-Pec defeated McCluer North 37-18 to win the Class 5 title.

Kirkwood got off to a rocky start Saturday. The Pioneers fumbled away the opening kickoff, and Ray-Pec quickly turned that into seven points as Washington rushed through the right side of the defense for a 13-yard run just 34 seconds into the game.Kirkwood answered on its next series. Quarterback Marcus Harris escaped pressure and picked up some key blocks downfield on his way to a 60-yard touchdown run with 10:13 left in the first quarter.The Pioneers took a 14-7 lead following an interception by Robreese Williams and a 26-yard touchdown run by sophomore Kimuel Keller with 2:07 remaining in the quarter. But Raymore-Peculiar answered by scoring on four straight possessions — a 36-yard touchdown pass from Gabe Crumpley to Gavin Lutman, a 1-yard run by Washington, a 23-yard pass from Crumpley to Washington and a 65-yard run by Washington to take a 35-14 lead with 10 minutes 44 seconds left in the third quarter.

That's when Kirkwood began its improbable comeback.

The Pioneers cut the deficit to 35-21 on a 2-yard touchdown run by Delvon Adams with 7:47 left in the third quarter, then to 11 points with a 40-yard field goal by Kristopher Turek with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter.Kirkwood turned the ball over at Ray-Pec's 13-yard line on the Pioneers' next series, which came back to hurt them after trimming the deficit to three points with 7:35 left in the game. That's when Harris scored on a 1-yard run and then connected with D'Marco Austin for a 2-point conversion to make it 35-32. Washington ended the Pioneers' comeback bid when he returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown, his fifth of the game, with 1:59 remaining to put Raymore-Peculiar ahead 42-32.